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Montgomery County Adopts Data Center Zoning Rules, Rejects Moratorium Calls
Montgomery County commissioners voted 17-4 to approve new zoning rules for data centers and power plants, including larger setbacks and noise limits, despite residents' demands for a development moratorium.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. â Montgomery County commissioners on Monday night approved new zoning regulations for data centers and power plants, voting 17-4 to adopt stricter siting and operational standards after residents urged the county to pause such development.
The resolution, CZO-1-2026, establishes requirements for future data center proposals. According to planning commission staff, eligible sites must be between 10 and 100 acres and obtain approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Under the new rules, data centers must be at least 500 feet from most zoning districts, with M-1 and M-2 industrial zones exempt. The setback was increased from an initial 100 feet after commissioners amended the proposal in October. The Regional Planning Commission reviewed the change and recommended approval.
The regulations also mandate a noise plan. Staff said noise must remain within 3 decibels of the area's ambient sound level, with a 55-decibel maximum when a facility is adjacent to property outside M-1 or M-2 zones.
Applicants would additionally need letters confirming water, power and gas service. If a facility uses surface water, it would need required state or federal approvals. Developers would be responsible for paying for infrastructure improvements needed to serve the facility.
During Monday's meeting, residents argued the rules did not go far enough and asked the county to halt data center development while it studies potential impacts.
"A moratorium is exactly what we need," resident Isaac Greenwood told commissioners.
The commission did not vote on a moratorium. Instead, members approved the zoning resolution. No specific data center project was before them.
The resolution's title also references power plants. The planning staff presentation focused on data center requirements; the final text will clarify whether separate standards apply to power plants.
The vote comes as communities across the region grapple with a surge in data center proposals, driven by demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Supporters point to tax revenue and job creation, while critics raise concerns about noise, water use, strain on the power grid and the loss of open land.
Montgomery County's new rules are set to take effect immediately, though the exact timeline for implementation was not specified. The county's planning department will oversee enforcement and permitting under the revised zoning code.